Page 34 of Should Our Hearts Catch Fire

Gabriel is about to say something else when an irritated voice from behind Ellis quips, “’Scuse me? If you’re done chit-chatting, I’d like to order my coffee.”

Ellis is torn between telling the lady to mind her business, and apologizing for clearly having become one of those people who share their fucking life stories with strangers. Oh, how low he has fallen.

“Sorry! I’ll be right with you,” Gabriel apologizes, sounding genuinely remorseful. It reminds Ellis of the first time he was here.

He still hasn’t apologized for that.

“Sorry for holding you up too,” Gabriel says to him.

“It’s fine,” Ellis reassures him. “I have no meetings this morning.”

“Cool.” He smiles, tapping on the iPad. “That’ll be $12.50.”

Ellis pays silently, but continues standing there even after the payment has gone through. He wants to say something. Feels like heshouldsay something. And for whatever reason, he doesn’t want to move away just yet.

The way Gabriel’s looking at him suggests he might feel the same.

“The pick up station is over there,” the lady from before speaks, pointing to the far end of the counter.

“Right. Sorry,” Ellis says without looking at her. He exchanges a strange, tense smile with Gabriel and goes to wait for his order, spotting Zeke behind the coffee machine. He’s a little bummed Gabriel won’t make his drink.

“Howdy?” Zeke grins at him over the top.

“Hey. Zeke, right?”

“You got it, sugar.” Zeke winks, calling out the drinks he’s just made and moving onto the next order. “What do we have here?” he says to himself, studying a docket. “Hmm. I see you like my milk.”

“Pardon?” He’s not sure he heard right.

Zeke laughs. “I make the powder for chai latte. It’s a very special recipe. Has a secret ingredient.”

Not wanting to be rude for once, Ellis plays along. “What secret ingredient?”

Zeke leans forward, beckoning Ellis to do the same with a curl of his finger. Ellis does, albeit reluctantly.

“Magic,” Zeke says ominously.

“Magic,” Ellis repeats flatly. “Right.” God, he really wishes Gabriel was making his drink.

Something must show on his face because Zeke grins knowingly. “I see how it is,” he says. “Stay right where you are.” He saunters over to Gabriel, grabbing him by the hips and whispering something into his ear.

Something ugly spreads through Ellis’ stomach, an acidic taste coating the back of his tongue.

Stupid heartburn. He really should look into an alkaline diet.

Hands still on Gabriel’s hips, Zeke manhandles him—there’s no other word for it—all the way to where Ellis is standing.

“There you go! Can’t have you looking like a kicked puppy, can we?” He gives Ellis a wink.

“What?”

“Gabe here will make your drink. I know he’s your favorite.” He winks again. Ellis is starting to think it might be a neurological issue. “You’re his too, by the way.” With that, Zeke skips over to the till, taking over Gabriel’s spot.

“Well,” Gabriel breaks the awkward moment and laughs. “I guess I have a date with the cold room after I’ve made your drink.”

It takes Ellis a second to understand the reference, and blood rushes to his face when he gets it.

“Uh…”